Market Info & News
Break the law and your new 'friend' may be the FBI (AP)
The Feds are on Facebook. And MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter, too. U.S. law enforcement agents are following the rest of the Internet world into popular social-networking services, going undercover with false online profiles to communicate with suspects and gather private information, according to an internal Justice Department document that offers a tantalizing glimpse of issues related to privacy and crime-fighting.
Oil rises near $82 ahead of Fed, OPEC meetings (AP)
Oil prices climbed back to near $82 on Tuesday as fresh housing data calmed investor concerns over the Federal Reserve's meeting on interest rates.
PepsiCo cuts sugary drinks from schools worldwide (AP)
PepsiCo plans to remove sugary drinks from schools worldwide, following the success of programs in the U.S. aimed at cutting down on childhood obesity.
Stocks rise ahead of Federal Reserve rate decision (AP)
Stocks are higher while investors await results from the Federal Reserve's meeting on interest rates. Policymakers are almost certain to keep the Fed's benchmark rate at a historic low of near zero Tuesday.
Saudi sees OPEC output steady for rest of year (AP)
Saudi Arabia's oil minister said Tuesday he expected OPEC to keep output steady for the rest of this year, in comments reflecting expectations that crude prices and supply are in sync with the fitfully recovering world economy.
Markets cautious about EU aid pledge to Greece (AP)
European countries' pledge to help Greece out of its debt crisis with loans received a lukewarm welcome from markets as investors remained worried that the form and timing of the aid remains unclear.
Housing construction drops 5.9 pct in February (AP)
Housing construction fell in February as winter blizzards held down activity in the Northeast and South. The decline highlighted the challenges facing builders as they struggle to emerge from the worst housing slump in decades.
Fed weighs how and when to signal higher rates (AP)
Debate is heating up within the Federal Reserve over how and when to signal that the days of record-low interest rates are numbered.
China without Google: 'a lose-lose scenario' (AP)
China without Google -- a prospect that looks increasingly likely -- could mean no more maps on mobile phones. A free music service that has helped to fight piracy might be in jeopardy.
China criticizes US pressure over currency (AP)
China on Tuesday rejected U.S. calls to ease currency controls and said criticism would not help efforts to end the global crisis.